Talking candidly to Heat magazine, the 33-year-old says she hate the way she looks after piling on the pounds when she was with her ex.

"I can't bear to look in the mirror, my body is disgusting," she explained.

"I need to lose weight. I'm ashamed of my body."

18st Gemma also said she's relieved she's out of her relationship with the mechanic.

She added: "I used to read those articles in real-life magazines, about people being controlled, and think for God's sake walk away - and then I felt like I became one of those people living a nightmare.

"I put on 3st when I was with my ex. It was like he'd force-feed me."

(Image: WENN)

The usually bubbly blonde admits she turned to food because she was so unhappy.

"I just got in this really bad rut. Food became a friend, because I was desperately unhappy. It became like an addiction."